This is a convoluted Omen-esque chiller from the director of Primal Fear, Gregory Hoblit. Denzel Washington gives a strong central performance as a Philadelphia homicide detective pursuing a supernatural serial killer. The initial development of the tale is intriguing, with seemingly disparate strands of information gradually combining into the discovery of a vengeful ancient god. But the atmosphere is only fitfully scary because of writer/producer Nicholas Kazan's loose-ended, pretentiously unresolved script. While the best sequence has the evil spirit transferred by simple touch around police headquarters, it's the shock Revelations-inspired climax that makes the biggest impression - for being so outrageously daft.

Homicide detective John Hobbes witnesses the execution of serial killer Edgar Reese. Soon after the execution the killings start again, and they are very similar to Reese's style.